OMG my shoes stink

[Black Dog]

This stuff works remarkably well. Link

[bcroslin]

Originally Posted by Peter P.

Try making a sachet bag of crushed charcoal briquets. Use a piece of cheesecloth, place a pile of crushed briquets on it, then pull up the corners and tie together with a string. Stuff the sachet bag in your shoes overnight.

Sounds very artisanal. I like it.

Originally Posted by Peter P.

A word of caution regarding using detergents on your shoes-these detergents can break down the adhesives that hold your shoes together. Be advised.

Unfortunately I destroyed a a newish pair of shimano road shoes due to over soaking them in detergent. It did exactly what you wrote and broke down the adhesives in the heel. Total bummer.

[merckx]

Get a new wife.

Jk!

[bcroslin]

Originally Posted by merckx

Get a new wife.

Jk!

She would get rid of me if she could.

[HenryA]

After you get them cleaned up this time, buy a Peet Shoe Dryer and use it.

[bcroslin]

Originally Posted by HenryA

After you get them cleaned up this time, buy a Peet Shoe Dryer and use it.

I had no idea that was even a thing. It's info like this that makes this board so great.

[xjoex]

Love the Peet Shoe Dryer

Review here: http://robonza.blogspot.com/2013/03/...hoe-dryer.html

But a trick I used when I commuted everyday in rainy pittsburgh was to occasionally when they get too stinky soak papertowels in bleach. Then jam them in the shoes for an hour. Works like a charm.

-Joe

[wallymann]

i dont see how anything else suggested would work better to kill any bacteria/fungi and whatever else may trouble your malodorous kicks.

[mike p]

I ride without socks all summer long (don't ask) so I know how shoes can start to smell. Most important thing you can do is take out the foot pad and open up shoe and leave in the sunlight to dry very well. If weather doesn't cooperate take out liners and stuff with newspaper or paper towels and leave to dry in front of fan.

Mikr



"Another tip: After any ride, stuff a sheet of newspaper in each shoe. It'll absorb any moisture and some of the odor along with it. Peter P."

[giverdada]

i tried rugbysecondrow's awesome trick with the white vinegar in my funky riding and much funkier running gear, and it worked perfectly. nast-free for months. requires regular treatments, but works every time and stays good for several weeks of use.

maybe white vinegar rinse? it's hard with the shoes and their adhesives being so water-unfriendly, so maybe just a rinse through or a short soak and then rinse and then dry in the sun. sunlight is good stuff. good luck.

[Volant]

Just remember, the 'funk' is caused by bacteria. Kill the bacteria and you kill the funk (smell). That's why the freezer trick works.

[dgauthier]

With all due respect, some of the care advice offered so far should be ignored.

I couldn't find care instructions for Shimano shoes on line, but Sidi does not recommend washing their shoes with detergent, or drying them with heat. The materials used can't be all that different from Shimano.

I suggest putting cedar shoe trees (the kind used with expensive dress shoes) in your cycling shoes when not in use. The essential oils in cedar have fungicidal and bactericidal properties and should keep them odor free without the need for water, detergent, heat or cold.

FWIW, Rapha sells cedar shoe trees for use with their brand of cycling shoes.

[bcroslin]

Originally Posted by dgauthier

With all due respect, some of the care advice offered so far should be ignored.

I couldn't find care instructions for Shimano shoes on line, but Sidi does not recommend washing their shoes with detergent, or drying them with heat. The materials used can't be all that different from Shimano.

I suggest putting cedar shoe trees (the kind used with expensive dress shoes) in your cycling shoes when not in use. The essential oils in cedar have fungicidal and bactericidal properties and should keep them odor free without the need for water, detergent, heat or cold.

FWIW, Rapha sells cedar shoe trees for use with their brand of cycling shoes.

I agree about the detergent. Like I noted, I've destroyed 2 other pairs of shoes equaling about $350 by washing them. I've ordered a Peet portable shoe dryer to give it a whirl. Nothing else I've done has worked so I'm hoping between the dryer, freezing and some cedar chips maybe I can save the shoes. For now they live outside with the rest of the stinky things.

[bluesea]

What detergent is causing problems? I've been using dish washing soap successfully so far.

[bcroslin]

Originally Posted by bluesea

What detergent is causing problems? I've been using dish washing soap successfully so far.

Regular laundry detergent breaks down the adhesives in the Shimano shoes. The first pair I ruined I soaked for several hours forgetting them in a bucket while I ran errands. My newish XC60's are starting show signs of the adhesives breaking down after 2 short dunks in the sink with laundry detergent.

My rule after destroying the other shoes is that I don't dunk my shoes unless they're already soaked through. Living in FL that's like every day from the end of April thru the beginning of Nov.